(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all children of school age in the Commonwealth, (i) upon original entry into the school, (ii) while in the third grade, and (iii) while in the seventh grade, shall be given a dental screening by a school dentist or public health dental hygiene practitioner: Provided, however, That this requirement shall not apply to those school districts or joint school boards which have instituted a program of dental hygiene services as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Any school district or joint school board may institute a program of dental hygiene services for children of school age, which program shall be approved by the Secretary of Health, and for that purpose may employ dental hygienists.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school district or joint school board that has not instituted a program of dental hygiene services as provided under subsection (b) may use a public health dental hygiene practitioner to satisfy the requirements under this section.

(d) As used in this section, the term “public health dental hygiene practitioner” shall have the same meaning given to that term in section 2 of the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L. 216, No. 76),¹ known as “The Dental Law.”